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Holidays Afloat for People with Special Needs

For people with special needs a holiday can sometimes be complex, Seagull Trust Cruises can provide a wonderful opportunity to get that extra relaxation that a holiday can afford with the specially built Marion Seagull based at the Falkirk Branch.

In July 2003 Seagull Trust Cruise launched the Marion Seagull, a residential canal boat which allows a family with a disabled member the opportunity to cruise the Lowland Canals at their own speed.

The boat was named in honour of Mrs. Marion H. Salvesen, whose Charitable Trust provided the funding for the building of this special boat.

Unlike traditional canal narrow boats, the Marion Seagull is three metres wide this gives a wide, spacious and roomy feel to the accommodation and the large picture windows make it bright and airy. Accommodation on board sleeps a maximum of six people, with two toilets, a shower, kitchen area with cooker, fridge, microwave and sink, a lounge/eating area and an open deck area in the bow. There is a lift in the bow to allow wheelchairs on and off the boat and another in the stern to lift a wheelchair up to the steering position. The accommodation is centrally heated and there is a steady supply of hot water.

The length of a Holiday Cruise is entirely based on the users choice, as the Marion Seagull can be utilised for up to a week or even longer. The cruise will start from The Falkirk Wheel and most groups choose to ascend the Wheel and go Eastwards towards Edinburgh although it is possible to descend onto the Forth & Clyde Canal and head westwards towards Kirkintilloch and Glasgow.

Skippering the boat does require some experience, but we can provide a skipper if that is required.